"Tristan, are you really trying to bed me, right now?" Hestia asked.

"Not right now," I responded, full of energy in a way I'd never been before. "I'd like to get to know you better first."

"Oh?" She cocked her head as she stared down at me, her expression unreadable, "you're attracted to me? Since when?"

"Since the fight," I responded, "I've always had a thing for tall women who could easily crush me."

In the back of my head a rational version of me screamed in embarrassment. I ignored it, I was still riding high on my past dreams.

"You are attracted to me because I'm powerful." She stated, she looked up for a moment then gave me a quick nod. "an admirable decision, I accept your proposal. While we are out, you may ask any questions about me, and I may ask any of you, will that accomplish your goal of 'getting to know me?'"

"I feel like you don't really get the whole 'date' thing, but that's close enough for me."

She nodded again before unceremoniously dumping me off her lap and standing up. It actually hurt a bit. I keep forgetting I have nerve endings again, or something like them.

"I will now teach you the second most important thing about being an Outsider: knowing where you come from. You are called Outsider for a reason, you are not of this plane." Hestia held up the rock covered in ancient writing, "djinn are from Debauch. The plane of pleasure, we will go there in around a half hour. Find something else and do not bother me while I prepare this ritual."

"Yes ma'am." I saluted her and went to find Terese.

She was still in her office looking over paperwork, she had bags under her eyes and was rubbing her temples, clearly stressed and missing sleep. I summoned two mugs of high quality coffee in front of her, along with a bowl of sugar and a pitcher of heavy cream.

"Thanks, Tris," she said, taking a sip. She must have heard Will or Dad call me that. "Whoa this stuff's good what is it?"

"It's a coffee bean called Robusta," I replied, "it contains about twice as much caffeine as the standard Arabica coffee bean."

"You have very specific areas of expertise," she chuckled.

"Dad loves guns and I love coffee," I smiled. Terese smiled back.

She really had a pretty smile. Damn, desire's the best drug I've ever tried, better than weed and alcohol combined. I needed to let Samson know, just to brag. The look on his sexy stubbled face would be worth it.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Whoa," I said aloud.

"What?" Asked Terese.

"Djinn eat desires, and I ate my own earlier," Terese just stared at me. "It's a long story."

"I was wondering about the pink skin and pointed ears and the horns. You eat desire? How does that even work? On second thought, table that for now. I've got a situation and that's why I've called you."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I told you that we'd keep this city relatively safe for mortals? Well, there's a new werewolf pack that is hunting mortals and Gifted, we already lost two witches combating them, they're very strong."

"You want me to get rid of them?" I asked.

"I was considering it, but I had a better idea. I'm going to wish they were my clan's bonded familiars, we can turn this weakness into a strength."

"You sure seem to solve a lot of problems with forced loyalty," I pointed out.

"I'm loyal to you, Tristan," she replied with steel in her gaze. "I'm loyal to my clan, and now I'm even loyal to the mortals in my territory. If I need to take away freedoms to guarantee safety, I will. The world is too dangerous otherwise. Now, is there any particular way you'd like this wish worded?"

"Give me just a moment," I said. "Hestia, I need you in here for a second."

"Tristan, you may not bed me in the middle of instruction!" Hestia burst through the door, her words causing Terese to look at the both of us with raised eyebrows.

"You think I would just call you in for that?" I asked incredulously.

"I have no idea how you would initiate sex with me, you haven't tried yet." Hestia responded. "I know you find me attractive, so now it is only a matter of time."

"Fair point."

"I'm not going to get into this right now, no matter how much the teenager in me really wants to," Terese interrupted. "Why did you call the wendigo in here?"

"Wish she was my Master, and she can give you a wish. She's trying to show me something and I'd rather not be whisked away in the middle of it."

"Does that work for you?" Terese checked with Hestia.

"I accept the terms and grow impatient, what must I wish for?"

They exchanged wishes, after which Terese gave me a quick hug and rushed off. She's always so busy.

"Now we can finally journey to your race's homeland. Follow." Hestia started to briskly walk away. I couldn't help but stare after her. Her fur was thick enough to cover her privates, but it did nothing to hide the shape of her toned backside.

I realized that I was not only feeding on my own desires, but on Hestia's as well now. I could feel shards of flickering blue energy decreasing my cautiousness and wearing down my inhibitions, Hestia doesn't have many of those to begin with. I needed to get a lid on this, motivation is always a good thing but I don't need quite this many intrusive thoughts.

As we entered the room a glow lit up the corner, where a fridge-sized amber portal now sat.

"Follow me to the realm of pleasure!" Hestia exclaimed, jumping through the portal.

I leapt through as well, trying my best to get ahold of the new emotions flooding my mind.